Hot Rocks by Randy Rawls Read Free Book Online Page A

anything.”
    I rubbed my temples while gathering my thoughts. I had to make Sly understand without sounding hysterical. I presented my case in as close to an analytical form as I could muster. “When I spoke to Ms. Garcia on the phone, I took notes on a yellow sticky. Her name, the address where we were to meet, the time. When I left the house, I put the paper in my purse—I know I did. It’s not there. At the Chinese restaurant, as she told me the story of her husband’s infidelity, I took notes, jotting them into my pad. She told me where I could pick up the surveillance on her husband, and I wrote that on the same page. She also gave me her card and a check for a thousand dollars, an advance on my fees. Hell, she even gave me a picture of her husband. It’s missing. Everything’s gone. All gone. There’s nothing left in my purse to show I ever met her.”
    Sly stared at me a moment, emotions flickering over his face. It was the first time I’d seen a crack in his courtroom façade. “You’re sure they were there?”
    I stared at him, re-visualizing the scenes, not wanting to make a mistake. “I put them in my purse.”
    “But are you sure? Be absolutely sure. This is incredibly important.”
    “Dammit, yes.”
    “Maybe they took them at the hospital.”
    “Sly, that’s ridiculous. The check? Perhaps. Someone could have light-fingered it, forged my name, and cashed it. But the notes, her personal card, the sticky, the picture? Why? What possible reason could anyone have for taking them? Plus, the hospital did an inventory when they checked me in. None of it is listed.”
I picked up a pink form from the table. “Here’s a copy. You look at it.”
    Sly took it from my outstretched hand and examined it. “Nothing here,” he said, then rose and walked to the other side of the conference table, sitting in front of his legal pad. He appeared to study his notes, a frown wrinkling his forehead, no lawyer smile crinkling his lips.
    My anger was burning itself out. “There’s more—and worse,” I said. “My gun. It’s missing, too. There was an automatic on the floor beside the dead man. The cop who was first on the scene found it and turned it over to the detectives. It may well have been mine.”
    His brow furrowed more than I’d ever seen before. He pursed his lips and stroked his chin, appearing deep in thought. His words came out slowly and in a no-nonsense tone. “Beth, as you know, I excel as a civil litigator. But you need a criminal defense attorney— and a darn good one . And that’s a longer reach than I want to claim. Your yarn is so far out, even I can’t stack a jury who would believe it. A couple of golf buddies owe me favors. I’ll call them in and get you competent representation. Until then, be careful. Say as little to the police as you can. If one comes near you, and you feel in jeopardy, call me immediately.”
    He took a deep breath. “I know your investigations require you to maintain good relations with the authorities, but watch your words. The best advice I can give you is say nothing. However, I suspect that would fall on deaf ears, since you’re unlikely to keep your mouth shut. But if you feel compelled to talk to any detectives, make sure you think before you speak.” He stood and walked to his desk, picked up his business card holder, then came back to me. “Here.” He handed me several cards. “Use these if you feel the need. Tell anyone who gets too close that I’m your attorney. I fear you could be in serious trouble.”
    He gave me a concerned look. “Be careful, Beth. In the meantime, I’ll find someone for you.”
    _____
    I left Sly’s office feeling as depressed as I’d ever felt. The rush of anger had drained me. There had been some low moments in my life, but that was the lowest. I had to admit my anger, or most of it was because I’d been so easy to set up, so easy to bait. Philandering husband? Yeah, right. Gullible female. Too right.
    I walked to